First, we’re beginning to see that the “conveniences” of suburban life are probably not as convenient as many believe. For some time many voices have been predicting the death of the American suburban ideal (due especially to rising energy costs), but here we see that one of the fundamental motivations – cost of living – has lost its validity. It might be that some issues such as safety, schooling, etc. may be motivations for families to msove to the suburbs; however, this study demonstrates that one major motivation is false. Therefore, any serious Christian consideration of stewardship will have to account for the waste involved in suburban living.

 

Second, a growing number of Christian voices – across a number of denominations – are recognizing that cities fill a significant social space which any strategic Christian action cannot ignore. While some try to make a more direct biblical mandate out of the matter than others, we have now reached an undeniable point in American society when the church can no longer afford to pretend that our cities do not matter. For too long, conservative Christianity has been closely aligned with the American dream. Yet that dream is crumbling as driving becomes more expensive, and so is the Christian cultural baggage Americans once held. Some Christians resent it, but such resentment is naïve about the past and (more importantly) discontent with God’s providence.

 

Third and most significantly, the urban environment is a much more powerful opportunity for the gospel to impact lives. In the suburbs, you can avoid talking to your neighbors. You can pretend that most of the world is like yourself since suburban neighborhoods tend to be monolithic. In the city, you cannot help but bump shoulders with other people – different people. In the city, problems cannot be plastered over so easily. In the city, the gospel shines – bringing together different ethnic groups, different socio-economic groups, different political groups. 

 

Living in the city may always be a bit riskier than elsewhere, but the gospel calls us to live risky lives – as living sacrifices before God (Romans 12:1; cf. 2 Timothy 3:12-13).